Trump Vowed to Pardon ‘Everyone Who’s Come Within 200 Feet’ of Oval Office Before Term Ends, Report Claims

**Trump’s Expansive Pardon Plans Raise Eyebrows Ahead of 2025 Exit**

As President Donald Trump approaches the final months of his presidency, speculation is rife regarding his intentions surrounding pardons. With approximately 1,600 pardons already granted, Trump is reportedly considering a mass pardon for many of his top advisers and supporters before his term concludes.

In a recent closed-door meeting, Trump is said to have playfully suggested he would “pardon everyone who has come within 200 feet of the Oval Office.” This remark appears to extend a previously talked-about offer to those within a mere 10-foot radius. The absurdity of the statement was highlighted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in response to inquiries from media outlets, urging The Wall Street Journal to “learn to take a joke” while affirming the president’s absolute pardon authority.

Historically, Trump’s use of his pardon power has included high-profile cases—notably, individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. On the opening day of his second term, set for January 20, 2025, he is expected to announce pardons for 1,500 individuals involved in the violent insurrection that disrupted the certification of the presidential election. He has previously referred to the sentences given to the rioters as “ridiculous and excessive,” arguing that these individuals, whom he describes as patriots who “love our country,” deserve clemency.

However, the effectiveness of these pardons has been called into question. A report from the House Judiciary Committee’s Democratic staff revealed that at least 33 individuals who received pardons have since been faced with new criminal charges. Notably, some even reoffended shortly after their pardons were granted.

In a notable action from November 2025, Trump issued pardons to legal figures such as Rudy Giuliani, along with more than 70 others who had supported his efforts to contest the 2020 election results. Trump characterised this decision as one that would “serve as a proclamation ending a grave national injustice” and aid in national reconciliation.

Furthering his controversial pardons, Trump also opted to pardon 24 anti-abortion activists in Washington, D.C., who were convicted of violations under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. These actions frequently attract scrutiny, as some observers question whether such pardons serve broader interests or are intended to bolster Trump’s political base.

In October 2025, Trump pardoned Changpeng Zhao, the former CEO of Binance, who had faced prison time after pleading guilty to a federal money laundering charge. Press Secretary Leavitt suggested that this pardon was in accordance with Trump’s constitutional powers, positioning Zhao as a casualty of what she referred to as the Biden Administration’s “war on cryptocurrency.”

However, the timing and rationale behind this pardon have raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that the Trump family’s own ventures in cryptocurrency may have benefitted from connections to Zhao, leading to speculation about potential conflicts of interest. At the same time, Trump publicly distanced himself from Zhao, asserting that he did not know the former CEO personally and labelled the prosecution as a politically motivated “witch-hunt.”

As Trump gears up for a turbulent exit from the presidency, his cavalier approach to pardons has provoked varied responses across the political spectrum. Advocates for criminal justice reform express concern about the implications of pardoning individuals linked to violent crime or anti-democratic actions, while his supporters view these moves as a legitimate exercise of presidential power.

As the January 2025 exit date looms closer, the full extent of Trump’s pardon spree remains to be seen and could potentially shape the political landscape for years to come. Whether these last-minute efforts will leave a lasting impact on American governance or simply serve as a final gesture to his loyal base is a point of ongoing debate within the national discourse.